Tuesday, March 1, 2011

VMQG Retreat Redux

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Last Saturday I hosted a 13 hour retreat for members of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild and some other friends. It was the same format of the Quilt By the Bay retreats that I put on about every 6 weeks. We all had a wonderful day! Snow started falling in the afternoon, which was beautiful, but sort of put a damper on any late nighters at retreat - many people left early when we started getting reports from husbands that roads in the city were in really bad shape!

I am having difficulty getting photos off my 'big' camera, so those will have to wait, but I can show you the project that I completed. It is a wall hanging for my secret partner in the Urban Home Goods swap on Flickr. It looks pretty on that late season snow!

Hoot Dresden by Poppyprint

It's a good thing Krista did join me for retreat, because she brought the perfect fabric for binding along! It's the herringbone print from Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow. Krista is using the blues/greens of that fabric line for her Single Girl Quilt and got a big start on piecing her arcs.

Hoot Dresden by Poppyprint

I did some running stitch by hand using my gorgeous new Presencia Perle 8 cotton from these skeins. I felt some more quilting was necessary in the white linen background areas, so did some echo stitching with Sulky 12 weight thread. Krista suggested some ditch quilting in the dresden blades to balance everything out and luckily Andrea had some grey Invisifil that I could use (two of the many advantages of retreating: great advice and unlimited supplies to borrow/share with friends!!).

Hoot Dresden by Poppyprint

So, the dresdens were pieced from a charm pack of It's a Hoot by MoMo for Moda. The background is Essex linen in white, and the backing is a print by Tina Givens that I won in a giveaway on Heather's blog last fall.

I hope my partner likes it!

19 comments:

Jenny said...

the mini quilt is so cute.
amkes me feel like i need to stock up on Its a Hoot!

Amy Friend said...

I really love all the quilting details on this. Your partner is sure to love it. Your retreats sound like so much fun. I am insanely jealous.

Rachel said...

It's beautiful! You put such a lot of work into the details.

I've never been to a quilting retreat. Sounds like fun, but I probably wouldn't get anything accomplished because I talk too much ;)

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

Sounds like your retreat was great! I have never been to one either.....must put it on my list of things to do.
by the way...LOVE the dresden plate...need to try this too!!

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

I love your dresden quilt - love the coloured corners, the binding and the two lots of quilting - it's mini perfection.

Anne said...

Your very lucky partner will be thrilled! Love the brightly colored dresden blades, the graceful outline stitching, and the echo quilting. That herringbone binding was indeed a perfect choice.

Jennifer said...

Beautiful! The binding fabric is just perfect!

Jennifer :)

Marg said...

It's beautiful, I especially like the way you have used different colours in each corner. Love the Joel fabric for the binding, perfect.

Dianne said...

Beautifully executed as always m'dear! Love your hand stitching, it adds that extra bit of special to the visual texture of the quilt. I am sure your partner will LOVE it and if not you know where I live ;0)

Unknown said...

Your little dresden quilt is lovely Krista! I'm sure your partner will be pleased with her new acquisition!

Alisa said...

It's sweet, especially with the hand stitching.

Cathy said...

It's really lovely! You have a knack with Dresdens!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

How can she not!! And how is the less swapping thing working out for you.-)
Do you really have retreats every 6 weeks; that's amazing. If we're lucky the guild puts on 1-2 workshops/classes a year, but fortunately I've got my friendly little quilting group to provide quilting company once a month.

Barb said...

Gorgeous quilt, Krista! Your retreat sounds wonderful.

Holly said...

I'm so happy to hear you all had a wonderful day! I was thinking of all of you as the snow fell and hoping everyone got home safely!

Lynz said...

Man, I love that wee quilt!! I must try some hand quilting - the effect is so pretty!!!

Sewhappy said...

Oh I love your mini, wish I had done that with hoot fabric, it is so beautiful.

paulette said...

I missed this post!! How did that happen? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this little quilt!! Stunning and the stitching kicks it up another notch! Sheer perfections!
P

Tiffany said...

Did you use a dresden ruler for this? So cute! And I love your hand quilting!